Milestone in Texas History

July Fourth...Texas style. March 2nd marks the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. A ceremony was held at Houston City Hall to mark the milestone. Pat Hernandez has more.

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Men dressed in the uniform of the Texas militia marched to the steps of Houston City Hall to present the colors of Texas. Sam Clark of the sons of the Republic of Texas, lead the gathering in the Texas pledge.

"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, one state, under God, one and indivisible."

The Texas Revolution came against a dictator in Mexican General Santa Anna. After cutting defeats by his well trained army at the battle of the Alamo and Goliad, a Texas force led by General Sam Houston routed the Mexican troops and secured Independence at San Jacinto, just a few miles east of present day Houston. Buddy Grantham, Houston's director of veterans affairs, read part of the mayor's proclamation, where 175 years ago:

"Those brave 59 men, who met on those cold days at Washington on the Brazos, and risked their lives so all of us, can have the privilege of living in the finest state of the United States of America."

From Spanish colony to independent Republic, Texas eventually became the 28th state of the union. Tom Green is with the Sons of the American Revolution. He takes part in the reenactment of Texas history at schools, hoping it motivates students.

"That's all we can do, is just try to titillate their interest enough, to learn more about our history and be better Texans."